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[31m3aR]

Hi I've been here before and lapsed . Last night I opened this site on my email read some of the posts and really was inspired by all you brave people . Here I am about to get third anti biotic prescription and steroids this year - I've just got to stop . I've no plan as such but this can be day 1 - what does anyone think of champex ? ( not sure if I spelt it correctly )

[glolin LONG TERM WINNER]

Hi 31m3aR

Good on you for not giving up on wanting to be free from the addiction of cigarettes

Ir regards to Champix- I never used it, but i do know that there are a few people on this site that have quit successfully with the help of Champix and i have personal friends that have been successful too.

There is no easy way...it to be successful it truly does come down to your desire to be successful. .

Try writing down your reasons for wanting to be smoke free. eg,. financial, health etc.

Use this as your motivator should you have a bad day with cravings..

The lovely members here will support you along your journey

All the very best of luck....and when you think about it....There is no reason at all too smoke - Our bodies does not need the 4000 chemicals found in cigarettes.

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER in reply to glolin]

Thank you am starting champex today will post my progress

[shenan]

From the medication you mention I assume you have your 3rd chest infection this year? You can use the fear of another episode and the memory of the terror of fighting to breathe to encourage you - truly! That's what made me quit.

While sick I was more fearful of never smoking again than being ill! I worked myself up to it while waiting for an appointment with an adviser - about 4 weeks - so was ready to try by the time I saw her.

I've smoked all my adult life since I was 15, which makes 56 years in all and tried many methods to quit, including hypnosis, without success.

Champix is the best method I've tried, BUT if you're prone to tummy upsets from other prescription drugs (pain killers etc) you may be like me and suffer very badly. In retrospect I should have been prescribed a stomach acid neutraliser at the same time, as the symptoms disappeared immediately I was. If not you should be able to take it as the other side affects aren't too bad and easily bearable.

Champix definitely helped in a way that nothing else has in the past and I'm optimistic that this is the last time I shall need to quit.

Maybe this could be Day One of your decision to decide to quit? You could book an appointment with an adviser and then prepare yourself?

Hope that helps? Do ask questions if you need more info. I shall be out for the rest of the day, but will answer when I can.

Best wishes

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER in reply to shenan]

Thank you shenan n good for you - 4 weeks winner I got the champex and am taking it today - do will quit today - I took one on sat and it did make me feel such n disoriented so didn't take one yesterday co s was smoking- so today's the day please God

[shenan in reply to 31m3aR]

Thank you and I hope it helps you as it helped me, but I'm a bit concerned about you.

My adviser told me to start taking Champix but CONTINUE SMOKING until I was ready to stop, which was 2 weeks after starting Champix, as is also advised on the leaflet in the tablet pack.

You seem to plan to take it and stop smoking the same day? Or maybe I've misread your post?

Please double check your quit plan with your adviser in case you're not giving yourself the best chance of quitting.

Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to shenan]

Shenan!! 4 weeks 👏🎈🎈🎈🎈

You're doing awesome..... You'll enjoy better health🌷

[shenan in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the applause, but not sure how long I need to wait for better health! My brain is fried, concentration and decision making sooooo difficult that I give up trying so nothing gets done. As I've always been the organiser and never put off what needed to be done my family and friends are worried and I'm sure they think I'm developing Azheimers!

[Hidden in reply to shenan]

Hi shenan,

My brain was fried too the first month .. I was spaced out, exhausted and I kept having sweats and nausea.... Is that what you mean? It's all apart of withdrawal .. I didn't even get color in my cheeks until 9 weeks.... Now at 5 months, I still wonder where my energy went ... I work with some people on Tuesday's who are all ex-smokers.. They say a year to feel good... Everyone's different but it's gotta beat gambling with our health/lives

🚭🚭🚭🚭

Arizona xx

🌷🌹🌹🌺🌻🌼

Spring is almost here!!!!

[shenan in reply to Hidden]

My body and brain has been swapped with another dopey, forgetful, confused, gas filled, sleepless, achy, lazy one when I wasn't looking and I'd like the original back!

Brain fog for me is inability to make even the simplest decision, can't concentrate or make plans - even preparing a shopping list is too difficult!

I noticed leftovers that had been waiting to cool in the kitchen, covered them and took them into the study with me instead of putting in the fridge - I lost concentration in 2 seconds flat between one side of the room and the other!!

Face too face conversation is too much like hard work so I'm avoiding friends and family and use email to reassure them cos I can take my time without interruptions and nearly make sense!

I confess that I'd have thought twice about quitting if I knew what I was in for - life's too short to be spoiled!

I can't do pretty pics like you, but thanks anyway

[Hidden in reply to shenan]

Hi shenan,

I totally sympathize and I empathize about the lack of energy ... The thing that keeps me going and not lighting up is I'm not freaking out about risking getting COPD or stroke.. Those 2 scare me a lot.... Women who smoke in my family have strokes and I've been reading so many posts about COPD and whoa , that is frightening...

Hang in there friend☀️

[shenan in reply to Hidden]

Lack of energy I can handle, brain dead's the hard bit!

Thanks for support while I hang on!

[madametobacco49 in reply to shenan]

Hang in there kiddo--you may have had fog even if you were smoking--Its going to be ok --and you aren't alone in all this weirdness--trust me--I feel just like you a lot--More than I bargained for--I have not gotten dressed today--just a zombie--so you aren't alone--don't care about much--I think I had these when smoking but I had my precious cigarettes so didn't feel like I was hangin upside down from a trapeze wire by one toe--Im going to bed soon and haven't done hardly nothing--but breathe(that's a biggie) sometimes that's all that's required--Please hang on-we all have these tough days--especially 50yr plus smokers--many years and not kids anymore-Slow to bounce back Love,MmeT-Ps. That's not to undermine anyone youngers addiction or hell quitting--its just as bad just a bit different--and I don't think quite as protracted--It only gets harder--that's why I Love to see them quit NOW

[madametobacco49 in reply to shenan]

Shenan--you re the only one I know that has smoked as long as me although I know they are on here--53 years for me--I was saying on another post--Im getting a cold which used to just terrify me and I got so terribly sick--I live alone and so i would just lay in bed and wonder how the hell Id get to kitchen or bathroom sometimes or think" gee it would be so nice if someone made me a bowl of soup" Every year the last 5 or so got worse--winter would terrify me--so I agee with the advice you gave totally-Im not big on the pill thing --but whatever works--It sure is a long hard haul when you been at it this long--I am done as I never want to go thru this again EVER--anyway--have a lovely weeknd--MmeT

[Hidden]

Welcome💐

Would love for you to join us on our quit journey xx

[Andrew-S]

Welcome back give it another go. Not used champix so can't help guess whatever you use you need strong desire to stop. Maybe use you're chest infections as inspiration and think you don't need to have any more this year. 😀👀

[Briarwood Administrator LONG TERM WINNER]

Welcome 31m, stay close to this site as it really does make a big difference. I know that I wouldn't have got this far on my own.

Your body really wants to quit for the sake of your health, you know it's the right thing to do. It's not easy but we're all here for you.

Good luck🍀

NOPE not one puff ever🚭🚭

[Maddyg]

Welcome I'm new on here to , and my new found friends have been a great support to me. Join us . We are all fighting this terrible addiction. Think positive thoughts you can do it . Hope your feeling well soon. Here for a chat or shout out and someone will speak you . Good luck and take care x

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER]

Ah lads I'm a fraud and a disaster - thank you so much for your really supportive messages but I have failed already - I will come back though when I at least have 1 day free - appt with doc tomorrow to get champex - sorry 😫

[Briarwood Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to 31m3aR]

You certainly are not coz it takes courage to come back and I know you will come back. Put today behind you and tomorrow is a fresh new day. Good luck with your app tomoro and Champix will help you. We are always here for you no matter what. Take care😊

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER in reply to Briarwood]

Thank you so much Briarwood you have a good week

[Hidden in reply to 31m3aR]

Hi 31😊

Never say sorry on this site..... Mr Nic is cunning and baffling... An addiction stronger than any other drug

Not One Puff Ever🌷

xx

[iris8 8 MONTH WINNER]

There's no apology. Stay on here, smoking or not. Every action alternative to smoking is a little chip to the armour. Your deep in the trenches, not a fraud. Takes strength to speak from that place. Keep talking, connecting, it can only build to a successful quit! Your joining the quitters!! :O) If you really want it, IT WILL HAPPEN!-Look forward to seeing more of your posts. All the best, iris

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER in reply to iris8]

Thank you Iris will keep you posted

[Hidden in reply to iris8]

Love your response as usual Iris 🌷

xx

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER]

thank you Iris and congrats on being a 6 weeks winner - you must feel great - Eimear

[iris8 8 MONTH WINNER in reply to 31m3aR]

You've just helped me acknowledge the 6 weeks Eimear! Thanks :O)

[Briarwood Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to iris8]

Congrats Iris on 6 weeks winner badge, awesome👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💐😊

[Hidden in reply to iris8]

6 weeks Iris 👏🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Where did the time go🎈🎈🎈🎈😊

[iris8 8 MONTH WINNER in reply to Hidden]

Those days accumulate quickly don't they!

I woke this morning being conscious of the 6 weeks, think I was even typing a response in my head!?..Kind of talking to myself, of not taking it for granted, embracing the achievement. It's so easy for me to forget the insanity when I was active in the addiction of smoking and in many instances smoking when I didn't want to, what the hell, deal with quitting later attitude. The perpetuation of negativity, astounding. All the while those years of smoking were accumulating, how quickly they add up!!

I'm so glad and relieved that the tally is now for how long I've been 'Smoke Free'!!!! YES!!!!! A whole new ball game filled with breath & taste. It's challenging to begin facing & feeling life on life's terms but I'm definitely appreciating doing that crutch free.

This change is Real. And more is opening daily. Being able to check in with the NOPE Family is absolutely crucial-This besides my breath is the biggest blessing of quitting. From the Heart, Thank You! X

[madametobacco49]

Do what you have to do to get off this poison--your body is screaming at you to save it from misery--Everytime you get sick it weakens your lungs more and makes you more susceptible to getting sick again.. I lived in fear of getting stuff because I knew it would eventually settle in my chest and lungs--Pure hell--I know you are afraid--that's normal--but be more afraid of being in the grips of an addiction that is progressively making you sicker and could kill you--You will live thru this--and be stronger for being brave and loving yourself enough to say"no more, I matter" and you do--Get this crap out of you so you can help others--and believe me you will want to--The right person will read your story and think I can do this too--Its a never ending circle and do hope you will join us--Don't let fear kick your butt--if you fall down just get back up--and keep getting back up till you wear that demon out and it will let loose of you-Always someone here who cares--Be Fearless--and win this one--Blessings and strength,MmeT

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER]

Hi MmeT what a beautiful message and thank you I am now 11 days free n can't believe it am thrilled - still coughing a lot though but guess what no antibiotics or steroids n if I was still smoking I definitely would need a course by now - so that's real motivation for me - have put on weight but went am going for a swim when I can n next step is to exercise more because with our lungs that's key we've got to keep moving - thank you mme T I see you are 4 months free you go girl - do you feel amazing ?

[droopyJ in reply to 31m3aR]

Hi 31m3ar, wow get you at 11 days smoke free, that's fantastic well done😊😊🚭🚭🚭🚭

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER]

thanks mil droopyj - yes cant believe it actually have never really gone beyond 2 or 3 days before - am on champex - no real side effects except maybe tiredness and sometimes lack of concentration but maybe that's just me anyway. Would not have done it without the support and very sound advice from some great people on this site - so thank you for helping me to get this far - hugs!!

[droopyJ in reply to 31m3aR]

Ahhh hun that sounds like withdrawal symptoms so they shouldn't last😊😊

[droopyJ in reply to 31m3aR]

Have you given your quit date to monky, glolin or jillygirl and they will sort you out a winners badge 😊 Especially as your two weeks smoke free..... Way to go😊😊🚭🚭🚭🚭

[31m3aR 1 YEAR WINNER]

Happy Easter to you all and thank you for all your support - still smoke free thankfully - tired n phlegmy cough though still breathing freely and am thrilled about that xx

[Briarwood Administrator LONG TERM WINNER in reply to 31m3aR]

Happy Easter 31m and congratulations on your quit, great job👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Looking forward to seeing a nice badge for you👍🏼😊

[Hidden]

Champix working really well for me no cravings at all , I recommend giving it a try let me know how u go thanks